Objective:

2

To analyze the differences in the needs of users and the value orientation of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) by comparing the contents and formation methods of clinical questions in Chinese and Korean CPGs of acupuncture-moxibustion (Acup-Mox).

Methods:

2

The full text of CPGs was systematically searched from the official websites of Chinese and Korean traditional medicine societies and Acup-Mox associations

with the topic "Acup-Mox for treating diseases" and the retrieval time up to September 28

2022. Two researchers screened the CPGs independently

and extracted the guidelines' topics

content

quantity and formation methods of clinical questions. The quantitative data were collected by counting the frequency

and the qualitative data were classified and described by thematic analysis.

Results:

2

A total of 29 guidelines were included in this study

including 20 Chinese guidelines (305 questions) and 9 Korean guidelines (223 questions). The differences lie in the aspects of content and diversity

and formation method. As for content and diversity

Chinese guidelines focused mainly on the questions related to treatment such as the operation of specific intervention (86

28.2%)

efficacy of intervention (78

25.6%)

and also involving questions in diagnosis

prevention

and prognosis. While the clinical questions in Korean guidelines were concentrated to efficacy of intervention (218

97.8%). As for formation method

in Chinese guidelines

questions were usually collected directly from clinicians

and then determined and optimized by experts. In Korean guidelines

frequently used clinical Acup-Mox interventions would be screened first. Then the expert group would set up corresponding intervention control measures so as to form clinical questions related to treatment efficacy.

Conclusions:

2

The differences reflect the different needs of clinical practitioners

and the different aims or concepts in developing Acup-Mox guidelines between China and South Korea. Chinese guidelines emphasized promoting operation protocols and techniques of Acup-Mox for practical use

while Korean guidelines emphasized promoting the frequently used clinical intervention therapies. It is speculated that the guidelines from these two countries would play different roles in guiding clinical operation and supporting medical decision. In terms of formation methods of clinical questions

it is suggested to attach importance to optimizing process in formatting clinical questions to improve the clinical applicability of CPGs of Acup-Mox.